How Suspension Trauma Leads to Long-Term and Catastrophic Injuries

How long can someone hang in a safety harness before things go fatally wrong? According to safety research, suspension trauma can set in within minutes, and in some cases, fatal injuries can occur in under 15. That’s not just a minor workplace accident; it’s a life-threatening emergency that employers often fail to recognize until it’s too late.

But what is suspension trauma? Why does it happen so quickly, and how can something designed to save your life cause catastrophic harm instead? Whether you work in construction, utilities, tree care, or rescue, understanding the risks of harness suspension trauma and your rights after an accident could be lifesaving.

What is suspension trauma?

Suspension trauma, also called harness suspension trauma or orthostatic intolerance, happens when a person is suspended upright in a fall arrest harness for too long without movement. The body’s natural blood flow is disrupted, especially in the legs, leading to rapid loss of consciousness, organ damage, and even death.

The irony is that a fall arrest system stops you from hitting the ground, but if you’re stuck hanging in it, you’ve traded one danger for another. Your legs dangle, gravity takes over, and your heart can’t circulate blood properly, especially to the brain.

OSHA recognizes this as a severe risk; however, many employers fail to train workers on how quickly suspension trauma can become fatal.

How long can you hang before trauma sets in?

Wondering how long it takes for suspension trauma to become dangerous? You may think you have time, but it’s less than what you imagine.

Research shows that negative symptoms can start in as little as 5 to 10 minutes of passive suspension. That’s all. No high-speed crash or heavy impact—just a worker hanging quietly in a harness after a fall, waiting for help that may not arrive in time.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you or your coworkers know how long is too long?
• Is there a rescue plan in place, and has anyone ever practiced it?
• How far away is help if someone’s dangling 20 feet off the ground?

If you can’t answer these questions confidently, your job site may be putting lives at risk.

The science behind danger: Blood pooling and circulatory collapse

Let’s talk physiology. What makes harness suspension trauma dangerous?

When you hang motionless in a harness, gravity pulls blood down into your legs, and your leg muscles can’t contract to pump it back up. The result? Blood pools in your lower body, your blood pressure drops, and oxygen delivery to the brain and vital organs slows quickly.

The person may feel dizzy, nauseous, or weak at first. Then comes fainting, cardiac arrest, or brain damage. If the person faints and remains upright, the situation becomes more urgent. Without rapid rescue and post-suspension care, trauma can lead to fatality.

Signs and symptoms to watch for during and after a fall

Not all suspension trauma looks dramatic. So, what are the red flags?

• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Numbness or tingling in the legs
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Pale or sweaty skin
• Confusion or slurred speech
• Fainting or unresponsiveness

The moment someone says, “I don’t feel right” after being suspended, even briefly, it’s a medical emergency. And the danger doesn’t end after they’ve been pulled down and righted.

Post-rescue complications can also be severe. If blood suddenly rushes back to vital organs too quickly, it can lead to reperfusion injury, cardiac issues, or shock. That’s why suspension trauma treatment requires more than lowering someone to the ground.

Suspension trauma treatment and emergency response

What’s the right way to respond to a harness suspension trauma incident?

1. Rescue the person quickly, ideally within 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Keep the person lying flat after rescue, which means don’t sit them up suddenly.
3. Call 911 immediately for medical evaluation.
4. Monitor vital signs and prepare for CPR if needed.
5. Document everything from how long they were suspended to when EMS arrived.

Unfortunately, many employers don’t have a dedicated rescue plan or rely on emergency services. However, when minutes count, waiting isn’t an option.

When employers are liable for suspension trauma injuries

Did your employer provide adequate fall protection training? Was there a rescue plan in place? Were you using faulty or outdated equipment? If not, they may be liable for your workplace injuries, especially if they failed to meet OSHA or state safety standards.

Employers are required to:

• Provide fall arrest systems that fit properly
• Ensure workers are trained on suspension trauma risks
• Have a rescue plan that can be executed immediately
• Regularly inspect gear for wear or failure

If they didn’t meet those obligations, and you were hurt, or a loved one died, in a suspension incident, you may have grounds for a workers’ compensation claim. In some cases, such as defective equipment or subcontractor negligence, you may also have grounds for a third-party liability lawsuit in addition to your workers’ compensation claim.

Filing a workers’ compensation claim for harness suspension trauma

Even if your employer wasn’t blatantly negligent, you may still be entitled to benefits under workers’ compensation law. These can include:

• Medical coverage for treatment and rehab
• Lost wages if you’re unable to return to work
• Permanent disability benefits for long-term damage
• Survivor benefits for family members in fatal cases

You don’t need to prove fault, but you do need to confirm that the injury happened on the job and that it’s affecting your ability to work.

This can be complicated, especially if you lost consciousness or don’t remember details, or there were no clear witnesses. Your employer may also try to downplay what happened. That’s why it’s crucial to document symptoms, seek immediate medical attention, and speak to an experienced workers’ comp attorney as soon as possible.

Suspension trauma isn’t a rare freak accident. It’s a well-known, preventable danger that can become fatal in minutes, even when fall protection systems are used correctly. If you’ve experienced a suspension injury on the job, contact Silverman, McDonald, and Friedman Attorneys at Law to discuss a reliable workers’ compensation claim.